The history of mattresses from burlap bags to Sealy OptiCool gel memory foam...we've come a long way.

Mattresses have come a long way from the earliest sleeping mats discovered in Africa and believed to be 77,000 years old.  The earliest mattresses were made from layers of various collected rushes and grasses but interestingly they were topped with a layer of insect repelling leaves.  Even the early civilizations were concerned with keeping bugs away from their sleeping quarters. During the Colonial Times, spanning from 1607 with the establishment of Jamestown until the late 1780’s, beds were generally flock beds. These were mostly burlap bags stuffed with rags, cornhusks, or anything else that could be found to make a soft sleeping surface. Feathers were sometimes used by the wealthier colonists. Parents of the home might have a bedstead which was a wooden frame with cords laced back and forth to hold a mattress.

During the early 18th century, fillings inside the mattress started to include cotton and wool. In the mid-18th century, fillings included coconut fibers and horsehair. Mattresses also began to be buttoned to keep stuffing in place, and the edges of the mattresses were stitched. The quality of its linen also improved. In the 1850s, the first cast iron spring beds were invented. Next came the construction of the coil spring bed. The invention of spring beds was prompted by the need for a hygienic and comfortable place to sleep.

In the 19th century, the box spring iron cast beds were invented. The most expensive mattress emerged in 1929, which was made of latex rubber. Innerspring and pocket mattresses were also introduced during this time. In the late 1960s, NASA invented a mattress material that is now famously known as memory foam. As time evolved, different kinds of mattresses emerged such as cotton, vinyl, and inner spring.

Belfort Furniture carries memory foam mattresses from Tempur-Pedic® and the Sealy Optimum collection. They are some of the highest quality mattresses available.  Sealy has taken the memory foam technology to the next level.

Keeping cool is essential for a good restful night’s sleep. The Sealy Optimum mattress has a layer of advanced OptiCool™ memory foam. This foam layer keeps your body cool and at the optimum temperature for your best night’s sleep. OptiCool™ is the only gel memory foam on the market to be fused with OUTLAST®, proven to be more effective for removing excess heat during the night Pokies.

OUTLAST® material is used in high performance outdoor gear, undergarments, and even footwear for superior temperature regulation. So how much more effective is OptiCool™ at removing excess heat? OptiCool™ is 12 times more effective than standard memory foam or other gel memory foams. Underneath the OptiSense™ layer is our patented OptiCore™. This layer is a firmer section at the bottom of the mattress, which provides a deeper level of support.

Besides the OptiCool™ technology, these mattresses also offer no motion transfer.  That means, just because your partner moves during the night doesn't mean you should.  You can get a great night's sleep without waking up every time your partner rolls over. Optimum™ is designed to absorb motion, creating a calm, stable sleeping environment that lasts all night, every night.

The Optimum foundation is designed for durability and to extend the comfort life of your mattress and the Optimum Reflexion Powerbase is an adjustable base that is a perfect companion to your Optimum mattress.  It features dual “Wave” Massage with 3 programmed settings with a wireless hand remote and an under bed night light.

The Optimum mattress sets come in several models including the Destiny, Radiance, Inspiration, Vibrant and Elation collections, all with different price points and features but all Optimum mattresses come with a 25 year warranty.  These Sealy Mattresses are made to last and are available for a great price at Belfort Furniture.

If you are looking for the best selection of King, Queen, Full or Twin Mattresses with the best and latest technology to assure you the best night’s sleep, Belfort Furniture can help you.  We have everything you need to create the best night's sleep, from mattresses to custom bedding, window treatments, and furniture, to a design team to put it all together for you.   Let us help you get your best night’s sleep.

Belfort Furniture is conveniently located in the Dulles area of eastern Loudoun County, Virginia, easily accessible from Loudoun and Fairfax Counties. Whether you live in Northern Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, or Washington DC, we have the selection, styles and prices that make Belfort Furniture worth the trip! Belfort Furniture was voted “Retailer of the Year, 2012”, by National Home Furnishing Association and has been voted best furniture store in Loudoun County for 17 years in a row.